Straits Times reported (7-Jul-2014) that due to intense competition, agencies have been slashing their fees over the last 6 months, from $1600 to as low as $300.

It also claimed that as a results, maids have to increase their payment to agency from around $2200 to $4000.

Personally, I have my doubts on this report.

There are existing restrictions imposed by MOM as well as Indonesia and Philippines embassies as to how much agencies can charge their maids for agency fees.

Also, due to competition from other employers (HK, Taiwan, etc.), agencies here have been complaining that they could not find enough maids wanting to come to Singapore to work. If maids have to pay more to work in Singapore, how are the agencies going to recruit them?